<p class="ql-align-center"><strong>WestConn partners with local school districts to offer Early College dual enrollment programs</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.wcsu.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Western Connecticut State University&nbsp;</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span>has joined with several local school districts to offer Early College dual enrollment programs for high school students. The expansion of an existing program was made possible through a $166,000 grant secured by Dr. Stephen Hegedus, interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.</p><p>The program is administered by the Connecticut State Department of Education with money from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and is designed to encourage more high school students to take college classes. By passing college-level courses before graduating from high school, students can decrease the amount of time needed to earn a bachelor’s degree.</p><p>Dr. Becky Hall, professor of <a href="https://www.wcsu.edu/math/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mathematics</a>, is working with the school districts to bring students into the program. WestConn is working with Brookfield, Bethel, Danbury, Immaculate, Newtown, New Fairfield, and has expanded to New Milford and Ridgefield with the recent signing of MOUs.</p><p>“The focus of this grant is to make college credit accessible to more students, including those who might otherwise not pursue higher education,” Hall said. “Early college courses are a step in the right direction for closing equity gaps.”</p><p>“The grant money will help WCSU offer more classes to high school students, which will benefit them and also showcase the university’s professors and courses to college-bound juniors and seniors,” Hegedus said. “This infusion of funds will allow us to enroll dozens or hundreds more students who can begin earning credit for college courses.”</p><p>About 200 high school students were enrolled in WestConn’s Early College and Dual Enrollment programs during the 2023-24 academic year. With the grant, the goal is to double that over the coming years.</p><p>For more information, contact Communications and Marketing at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:pr@wcsu.edu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">pr@wcsu.edu</a>.</p>

<p>As of now, 916 Eversource customers in Newtown remain without power. Eversource has nine crews actively working or en-route to impacted locations to restore service. A partial list of locations is included at the end of this message.</p><p>Today, I have been at the Emergency Operations Center with members of the Newtown Emergency Management Team and an Eversource official, ensuring that Newtown residents remain safe and that we receive the necessary resources for a timely power restoration. While Eversource cannot yet provide an estimated time for full restoration, I will continue to share updates as new information becomes available.</p><p>For those in need of a warm place to charge devices, the Newtown Community Center will remain open until 9 PM, and the Police Community Room is available 24/7 for residents.</p><p>We appreciate your patience and cooperation as crews work as quickly and safely as possible. Please stay safe, and I will provide further updates as they become available.</p><h3>Power Outage and Restoration Status by Road</h3><ul><li><strong>FARRELL CT</strong> – 79 – Assigned</li><li><strong>EDEN HILL RD</strong> – 48 – 3:00 PM</li><li><strong>BERKSHIRE RD</strong> – 47 – Assigned</li><li><strong>MARLIN RD</strong> – 44 – Onsite 5:45</li><li><strong>COBBLERS MILL RD</strong> – 43 – Assigned</li><li><strong>JEREMIAH RD</strong> – 42 – Assigned</li><li><strong>AUNT PARK LN</strong> – 39 – Assigned</li><li><strong>HOUSATONIC DR</strong> – 39 – 4:15 PM</li><li><strong>POLE BRIDGE RD</strong> – 39 – Assigned</li><li><strong>HEAD OF MEADOW RD</strong> – 37 – 4:45 PM</li><li><strong>WATERVIEW DR</strong> – 34 – Assigned</li><li><strong>ALPINE DR</strong> – 32 – 4:15 PM</li><li><strong>FOREST DR</strong> – 30 – 4:15 PM</li><li><strong>UNDERHILL RD</strong> – 30 – 4:45 PM</li><li><strong>PEARL ST</strong> – 28 – 4:15 PM</li><li><strong>HANOVER RD</strong> – 24 – 10:00 PM</li><li><strong>HI BARLOW RD</strong> – 24 – 3:00 PM</li><li><strong>ROSE LN</strong> – 21 – Assigned</li><li><strong>FIELDSTONE DR</strong> – 20 – Enroute</li><li><strong>HATTERTOWN RD</strong> – 20 – Assigned</li><li><strong>HIGH BRIDGE RD</strong> – 20 – Onsite 5:45</li><li><strong>WASHINGTON AVE</strong> – 20 – 4:15 PM</li><li><strong>SILVER CITY RD</strong> – 19 – Onsite 5:45</li><li><strong>SERENE WAY</strong> – 18 – 3:00 PM</li><li><strong>ALPINE CIR</strong> – 17 – Assigned</li><li><strong>ELANA LN</strong> – 17 – Assigned</li><li><strong>SHEPAUG RD</strong> – 16 – Onsite 4:15</li><li><strong>BRANDYWINE LN</strong> – 15 – Assigned</li><li><strong>ENGLESIDE TER</strong> – 15 – Assigned</li><li><strong>HOSEYE COACH RD</strong> – 15 – Onsite 5:45</li><li><strong>OLD BETHEL RD</strong> – 15 – Assigned</li><li><strong>SADDLE RIDGE RD</strong> – 15 – Enroute</li><li><strong>BALDWIN RD</strong> – 13 – Assigned</li><li><strong>AVALON WAY</strong> – 12 – 8:05 AM</li><li><strong>LONGVIEW RD</strong> – 11 – 4:15 PM</li><li><strong>PHILO CURTIS RD</strong> – 11 – 3:00 PM</li><li><strong>MACKENZIE CIR</strong> – 8 – 4:15 PM</li><li><strong>POPLAR DR</strong> – 7 – Assigned</li><li><strong>TODDS RD</strong> – 7 – 4:15 PM</li><li><strong>BARKER DR</strong> – 4 – 4:15 PM</li><li><strong>RIVERSIDE RD</strong> – 4 – Assigned</li><li><strong>DICKENSON DR</strong> – 3 – Assigned</li><li><strong>SCHOOLHOUSE HILL RD</strong> – 3 – 4:15 PM</li><li><strong>LAKEVIEW TER</strong> – 2 – 5:45 PM</li><li><strong>ROUTE 34</strong> – 2 – Assigned</li><li><strong>BRIDLE PATH TRL</strong> – 1 – Assigned</li></ul><h3><br></h3><p><br></p>

<p>The Waterbury Symphony Orchestra (WSO) continues its Edmond Town Hall Series with a special celebration of the 100th anniversary of The Great Gatsby. The event, The Jazz Age of Great Gatsby, will take place on Sunday, February 23, 2024, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Edmond Town Hall in Newtown. Doors open at 3:00 pm.</p><p>F. Scott Fitzgerald is credited with coining the term "Jazz Age," making it only fitting that WSO honors his literary masterpiece with an evening dedicated to the music and energy of the era. This event is the second installment in WSO’s 2024–2025 Edmond Town Hall series, offering audiences an immersive experience in the rhythms and spirit of the Roaring Twenties.</p><p>Tickets and box office information</p><p>Tickets for The Jazz Age of Great Gatsby are available through the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra’s box office.</p><p>By phone: Call 203-346-2000, Monday through Friday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm</p><p>In person: Visit the Palace Theater, 100 East Main Street, Waterbury, CT, Monday through Friday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm</p><p>For more details and ticket inquiries, contact the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra directly.</p><p>Learn more and purchase tickets <a href="https://www.edmondtownhall.org/event/waterbury-symphony-orchestra-presents-the-jazz-age-of-great-gatsby" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Valentine’s Day is one of the most popular days to get engaged, setting the stage for couples to begin planning their perfect wedding. While some may envision a local celebration, many are choosing to tie the knot in breathtaking destinations. In fact, according to The Knot, approximately 17% of couples opted for a destination wedding in 2024—nearly one in five choosing to say “I do” away from home.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">For couples looking beyond traditional venues, Expedia Cruises in Brookfield offers more than just cruise vacations. Under the leadership of Mary and Jim Villamana, Connecticut’s first-ever Expedia Cruises agency specializes in destination weddings and all-inclusive resort getaways, including the romantic, luxury experiences offered by Sandals Resorts. Whether it’s a beachfront ceremony in the Caribbean, an intimate gathering in Europe, or an all-inclusive resort celebration with loved ones, their team ensures a seamless planning experience.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">A destination wedding isn’t just about the ceremony—it’s about creating an unforgettable experience. With expert travel guidance from Expedia Cruises Brookfield, couples can enjoy stress-free planning, curated travel packages, and exclusive deals to make their wedding dreams a reality.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Ready to start planning? Visit Jim and Mary Villamana at 67 Federal Road, Brookfield, call (203) 429-5589, or explore your options online:</span><a href="https://www.expediacruises.com/en-US/900221/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;"> Expedia Cruises Brookfield</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">&nbsp;</span></p><p><br></p>

<p><em style="color: rgb(57, 54, 79);">Individual DIY cookie decorating kits are back- thanks to our partners The Better Day Cafe for baking and assembling the kits!</em></p><p><span style="color: rgb(57, 54, 79);"><span class="ql-cursor"></span></span><span style="color: rgb(111, 114, 135);">A perfect Valentine's Day at-home activity! Kits are just $6 and come with everything you need to decorate your very own Valentine's Day cookies. Kits will be ready by 2/11, you will receive and email with pick-up instructions. </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(111, 114, 135);">All kits must be ordered by 2/8. Purchase your kit </span><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/valentines-day-diy-cookie-decorating-kit-2025-tickets-1134126515939?aff=oddtdtcreator" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>

<h2 class="ql-align-center">American Red Cross Blood Drive, Friday, February 28 from 11am to 5pm at Newtown Congregational Church, <span style="color: rgb(71, 71, 71);">14 West Street</span></h2><p class="ql-align-center">Learn more <a href="https://www.newtown-ct.gov/home/news/american-red-cross-blood-drive-february-28" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.newtown-ct.gov/home/news/american-red-cross-blood-drive-february-28</a></p><p><br></p>